Anitah Among will await her swearing in on Friday after passing her major exams on Wednesday before NRM party’s highest organ Central Executive Committee CEC to replace fallen Jacob Oulanyah.
Oulanyah died in Seattle, USA where he had been flown for treatment.
The 8th meeting of the 4th CEC of the NRM Party sitting at Entebbe recommended to the NRM Parliamentary Caucus the Anitah Among.
Election of Speaker
Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 of this Constitution, “no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant”.
Clause 4 of Article 81 relates to incoming lawmakers taking oaths of office, and of members of Parliament, in order to be eligible to vote, and be voted, as Speaker.
Anitah Among has been serving as Speaker of Parliament in the absence of Oulanyah. CEC is chaired by the chairman of the NRM who is also the President, Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Museveni.
The President’s senior press secretary Lydia Wamboka Nabusayi confirmed the decision of CEC on her social media Twitter account.
Nabusayi tweeted: “CEC has endorsed @AnitahAmong for speaker. Other @NRMOnline candidates can now compete for Deputy Speaker slot at the NRM caucus.”
NRM party electoral commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed 13 candidates who had shown interest to replace fallen Oulanyah.
Odoi said: “By the close of business today, a total of 13 MPs have expressed interest to carry the NRM flag for the position of Speaker of the 11th Parliament.”
He named: “Dr @JaneRuth_Aceng, @HamsonObua, Dr Florence Akiiki Asiimwe, John Amos Okot and Wakabi Pius have filed their papers expressing interest for the position of NRM Flagbearer for Speaker of the 11th Parliament.”
He added: “Members of Parliament who have so far expressed interest include, @AnitahAmong, Felix Okot Ogong, @HonOpendi, Jackson Kafuuzi, Atima-lee Jackson and Theodore Ssekikubo.”
Legislator explains Anitah’s strength
Ojara Mapenduzi: “I am going to look at a candidate who has the capability to drive the 11th Parliament. From the people who have expressed interest, I think the one who is better placed to lead Parliament is the Rt. Hon. Anita Among.”
Faith in Anitah
Who is Anitah Among?
Anita Among is a Ugandan accountant, lawyer and politician who serves as the Deputy Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda.
She also concurrently serves as the elected member of parliament for the Bukedea District Women Constituency, the same position she held in the 10th parliament.
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.
